Hi, I did use your HOTWIRE link and got the Holiday Inn at merchant mart for 99.00 plus 34.00 for parking. The hotel was very nice and they let us check in at 10 am which was fantastic. It was too hot to walk to the mag mile from the hotel but took a taxi for 8.00 plus tip for two people which was well worth it. Thought we would try walking back but got lost and a homeless man helped us find out hotel, very nice guy and interesting. Bought him food and gave him the remainder of L ticket we were done with, it was well worth it too. After seeing all the hotels on the mag mile I would try to stay at one of them the next time so we could go and come from the high dollar stores with less stress. Only used the L tickets to go to Wrigley field but I would definately do that again, no idea it would be so easy! I drove to the game once, accidently parked where I should not have and my car was towed while at the game, spent $420.00 plus taxi plus a whole night at an impound with a small child trying to get it back. Then almost a year later I got a parking ticket in the mail. (this is called learning the hard way). Thanks for your help and this great site! Connie PS Went to the outlet mall in Aurora, got some great deals.